AN army of hornets that prey on native bees and give an agonising sting are the latest alien species preparing to invade Britain, according to a scientific report.

The predatory Asian hornet preys on native honeybees, wasps and other pollinators

Threatening UK wildlife, and even people’s health, the yellow-legged predators – which can grow up to 1.2inches long – are set to soon reach our shores, a Europe-wide study warns.

The Asian hornet preys on native honeybees, wasps and other pollinators, potentially devastating hives and threatening honey and crop production.

Ominously, the report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) adds the lethal invaders will not be arriving in Britian alone.

The Asian tiger mosquito, which is linked to more than 20 diseases including yellow fever and the dengue-like chikungunya fever, could also be arriving from foriegn shores.

The species is prevalent in several southern European countries, such as Italy, after being imported from Asia via goods shipments, and is likely to expand its range north as the climate changes.

The Asian tiger mosquito, which is linked to more than 20 diseases, could soon be arriving in the UK

Existing invasive species in Britain – such as muntjac deer and the allergy inducing Japanese knotweed – are set to be joined in the next few decades because of increasing trade and tourism, the report states.

The common grey squirrel, originally from North America, demonstrates the negative impact of invaders from across the Atlantic – having driven its native red cousin from most of England.

More recent arrivals include the Spanish slug, which reaches up to 15cm (6 inches) in length.

The slug, which thought to have originated in the South East can demolish garden planting and horticulture – eating plants as well as carrion and even each other.

Killer shrimp, originally from Eastern Europe, are also threatening Britain's fisheries.

Other well-established invaders include the American mink, which has destroyed water vole populations, and parakeets that attack fruit crops.

Ring-necked, or rose-ringed, parakeets, that damage fruit crops by targeting buds and blossoms of various trees and shrubs, are also found in Britain.

The birds may also carry diseases which can affect humans and are often seen as a noise nuisance in urban areas because of their loud screeching calls.

The huge Spanish slug is already destroying gardens across Britain

Alien species invasions are a growing pressure on the natural world, which are extremely difficult to reverse

Jacqueline McGlade, EEA executive director

Across Europe, invasive alien species cost around £10 billion a year, the EEA report said.

Invading plants and animals are a major threat to already-struggling wildlife, with 110 out of the 395 European species designated as critically endangered at risk of dying out because of non-native species.

Species are most commonly brought in for horticulture, while other reasons they are brought in include farming, hunting and fishing or as pets.

Some stow away in ships' ballast, such as the zebra mussel and are introduced unintentionally, the study said.

Jacqueline McGlade, EEA executive director, sad more will come as a result of increasing tourism and trade.

Climate change may also be playing a role in the spread of species, by making areas increasingly suitable for new plants and animals.

"In many areas, ecosystems are weakened by pollution, climate change and fragmentation," she said.

"Alien species invasions are a growing pressure on the natural world, which are extremely difficult to reverse."